Biomaterial Implants for Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases

Treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders is inadequate and unsatisfactory. One problem with conventional therapy is its reliance on systemic delivery of neuroactive molecules. By this route of administration, molecules encounter the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as an obstacle to their passage into the CNS. As a consequence, high systemic doses are often needed to achieve therapeutic concentrations, and, as often, these doses are associated with severe peripheral side effects. For instance, as Parkinson’s disease (PD) becomes refractory to systemic administration of levodopa, ever-increasing doses of this drug are required to achieve an effect. The longterm fluctuation phenomenon, as well as severe side effects, place limits on this mode of therapy.